Procumbens style help

[Tadakun]

I acquired this 14 year old procumbens almost a year ago from MillBrook Bonsai Nursery in Vermont. For a little while now I've been looking at it and feeling that something feels weird about this tree (this is the pot it was in at the nursery and I've been wanting to get it a new pot sometime this year). So I'm curious what you guys think here.

what do you see as the front?

What do you think of this style and form?


1.


2.


3.


4.

 

[bonsai barry]

This tree is a challenging one! I like a natural looking tree, and this tree looks sculpted. Thiis issue can be seen in a couple of different areas. The lower branch has an unnatural quality to it (if it were mine I'd remove it). The trunk has three distict segments, a pleasing curving lower section and then a straight section. The next set of branches come out of the trunk opposing each other (sometimes called handle bar branches). That being said, my eye keeps going to photo number three and thinking there is something that could be done there. It is a little difficult to tell because this tree seems to be growing vigorously. If you thin down the foliage on the branches, you could better evaluate the structure of the trunk and main branches. If you decide to remove any of the branches, I would jin them first and see what they look like. This could be a great learning tree, but your efforts might be better spent going to a landscape nursery and picking up a juniper and styling yourself.

 

[october]

Hello tadakun.. I like pic 3 for the front. You would need to wire those main branches so that the pads are closer to the trunk and trim the pads down a bit. Also, letting the growth on the beginnings of each branch grow a bit to cover certain parts of the trunk. Here is a virt of what I see.

Rob

 

[october]

p.s. Trimming, time and a different pot would serve this tree well.

 

[edprocoat]

Man you gotta love the bark on a P. Nana! I too think #3 is the front. I would cut off that bottom branch right where it starts to bend down and wait and see if it backbuds, I find these back bud everywhere, if it does not you could jin the branch later.

What, no one asking you if your sure its a P. Nana?

ed

 

[Tadakun]

This tree is a challenging one! I like a natural looking tree, and this tree looks sculpted. Thiis issue can be seen in a couple of different areas. The lower branch has an unnatural quality to it (if it were mine I'd remove it). The trunk has three distict segments, a pleasing curving lower section and then a straight section. The next set of branches come out of the trunk opposing each other (sometimes called handle bar branches). That being said, my eye keeps going to photo number three and thinking there is something that could be done there. It is a little difficult to tell because this tree seems to be growing vigorously. If you thin down the foliage on the branches, you could better evaluate the structure of the trunk and main branches. If you decide to remove any of the branches, I would jin them first and see what they look like. This could be a great learning tree, but your efforts might be better spent going to a landscape nursery and picking up a juniper and styling yourself.

Barry, you pretty much nailed it on the head with how I feel and see this tree. thanks a lot for putting it into words when I couldn't haha.

 

[Tadakun]

Man you gotta love the bark on a P. Nana! I too think #3 is the front. I would cut off that bottom branch right where it starts to bend down and wait and see if it backbuds, I find these back bud everywhere, if it does not you could jin the branch later.

What, no one asking you if your sure its a P. Nana?

ed

I was considering doing as you said but I wasn't really sure how it would react to me cutting the branch back. Do they back bud pretty well in general? and how would you suggest i get the upper branches to backbud without risking losing them?

I'm not sure if I understood your last question. I'm pretty sure it is a Procumbens Nana. The fellow who runs MillsBrook Bonsai, Sandy, was very certain.

 

[Tadakun]

p.s. Trimming, time and a different pot would serve this tree well.

thanks lot for that visual, that is the style I would like to go for but was having difficulty visualizing it because of the strange bottom branch.

 

[october]

It is always difficult to tell what can be done to a tree in pics. I am not sure, but I think that with some crafty wiring, that bottom branch can be set in position and made to look more natural. Also, I cannot say for sure, but removing that bottom branch might be a mistake. I would definitely try to wire first. Also, to create a more natural looking tree, you can always break up the pads into smaller sections/pads and wire them in place.
I hope this was helpful.

Rob

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Nice pot there...tho maybe not for a juniper.

You live in Oregon, a bonsai haven...next buy, go local and save Vermont for ice cream and teddy bears.

 

[Tadakun]

Nice pot there...tho maybe not for a juniper.

You live in Oregon, a bonsai haven...next buy, go local and save Vermont for ice cream and teddy bears.

there is a local nursery that sells bonsai for Wee Tree Nursery. I've already picked up a "summer wisteria" from there and a little chamacyparis from the nursery stock there....although my wife claims they are hers. I'm just helping as the tree nutritionist and care giver .

 

[Tadakun]

It is always difficult to tell what can be done to a tree in pics. I am not sure, but I think that with some crafty wiring, that bottom branch can be set in position and made to look more natural. Also, I cannot say for sure, but removing that bottom branch might be a mistake. I would definitely try to wire first. Also, to create a more natural looking tree, you can always break up the pads into smaller sections/pads and wire them in place.
I hope this was helpful.

Rob

I'm not sure really what can be done wire wise for that bottom branch. if you straighten it out, it'll be really really long and far from the trunk. But there is a ..."sprig" of foiliage that comes out of the branch a little bit up from the main pad. If I cut it back I'll leave that bit of growth and hope that it'll redirect its growth to that general area. From there I can wire it to give it a better shape. That's my thoughts.